Save on Back to School Shopping
Back to school shopping doesn’t have to overwhelm your budget. The key is to find a smart way to recycle and to save. And where money is being spent – make a plan and stick to it.
Take Inventory. What school supplies and clothes does your child already have? Why purchase something your child doesn’t need? If your child doesn’t want to use the same backpack or pencil case two years in a row consider swapping with a sibling or creatively decorating it.
The process of taking stock of what your child already has helps her see what needs to be purchased and what doesn’t. It’s also a good time to discuss the difference between needs and wants.
Evaluate what fits and what doesn’t. Get your child to try on clothing that’s questionable. Analyze items that fit. How many different outfits can you make? What types of garments are missing?
Will it be worn? Chances are good the process of taking inventory of your child’s clothing has resulted in the discovery of some items that aren’t being worn. Now is the time to open up a dialogue re: the type of clothes and colors she prefers. If it won’t be worn, why buy it?
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Dorm Room Essentials – Prepping for College
You’re little one is all grown up and ready for her first year of college or university. Probably more ready than mom or dad, if the truth be told.
There is a lot involved in making the transition and setting up her home away from home. What does she need to pack and what can she leave at home?
While most post secondary schools will provide you with a list of basics to bring I’m going to share a list of other things you may want to consider when it comes to personalizing your own list.
First consider your budget. Having an estimate of how much things will cost goes along way to knowing how far you can stretch your school budget.
If your budget is tight focus on must-have items like books, school supplies and bedding (most dorm beds require extra long twin sheets) first. Maybe you can borrow some of the ‘wants’ on your list like a TV, mini-fridge, or area rug.
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How to Fit Your Child’s School Backpack
If you’re like most parents you’ll soon be sending your child back to school with a new backpack but before you head to the local mall or nearest department store here’s some important information to keep in mind.
Research shows that there are an increasing number of reports of back pain in children. There is some evidence to support the fact that this may be due, in part to overloaded and improperly carried backpacks.
Studies aside you don’t need to be a scientist to see the negative effects of an ill-fitted backpack on a child’s growing body. A trip to any school yard before or after school will sufficiently demonstrate the damaging effects of a heavy or unsupported back pack. It’s easy to pick out the children with appropriate sized and weighted backpacks vs. those with overly heavy ones – their walk is different.
And wearing both straps does make a difference. The saying, “As the twig is bent, so goes the tree,” comes to mind. Just think of the damage a school year could do on a growing spinal column if an overloaded backpack is carried on one shoulder.
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Stress Free Mornings – 17 Ways to Get Up and Out
From the moment the alarm goes off, the pressure is on. It’s usually a race against time as many parents rush to get both themselves and their kids out the door. But there has got to be a better way. Bound and determined to calm the chaos in my own home, I sought out advice from those in the know. Following is a collection of tried and true tips from fellow mothers:
*Hold a family meeting. Sit down together and discuss what’s working and what’s not.
*Set an age-appropriate, non-negotiable bedtime for each child – and stick to it. A well rested child is always more cooperative.
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Back to School In Bulk
Can shopping in bulk and at warehouse-type stores really save you money on back to school purchases? Yes, and no – it all depends on what you’re looking for and if you’re willing to take the time to team up with others and do a little comparison shopping. Here’s some of my favorite back to school shopping tips for bulk purchases: Team up with a friend or neighbor for maximum savings and variety. Shop together and make joint purchases. Make an initial trip just to browse and check out the deals of mutually favored brands and products. This team approach works for school supplies, food, and clothing. Make a list of potential products and check back with your respective family members to see if they need and like the items on your list. Consult with your co-shopper and together with a new joint list hit your local warehouse.
Remember though there’s no savings in buying snacks your children won’t eat or sharing a multi-pack of pencil crayons if your kids don’t need any. That said making joint purchases opens the door to more variety – who wants to eat the same flavor of granola bars everyday just because the monthly snack budget was spent on one humongous box? If you children are approximately the same size and age, savings can also be found on joint sock and underwear purchases.
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